Margaret S. Baker

Margaret Shirley (Morgan) Baker (1922 to 2012)Goodbye, goodbye – I love you all. Those were the words that Shirley uttered to her family surrounding her bedside at Baystate Medical Center. Shirley left this world with the same spirit and happiness that she lived her 90 years here on earth. Death was another adventure for the true Renaissance Woman.Shirley was born in Fall River, MA on December 27, 1922 the youngest daughter of the late Margaret Greenwood and Edward Morgan. Shirley leaves her two beloved children, David R. Baker and his wife Patricia of Fairhaven, MA (formerly of East Longmeadow) and Diane B. Nadeau of Longmeadow. She also leaves grandchildren David Baker, Sarah (Baker) Rose, Martha Morgan (Baker) Baldwin, Nathan A. Nadeau, Benjamin E. Nadeau and Samuel R. Nadeau as well as two great grandchildren Owen Baker and Asa Baldwin. Shirley also leaves her sister Claire Brown of Ormond Beach, FL and the niece who has been like a daughter to her, Leslie Melaney.Shirley was the devoted wife to Harold E. Baker for 68 years until his death in 2010 at the age of 88.She and Harold idolized one another and their marriage was one of great love, warmth, fun and most importantly all about family. Not only did Shirley combine motherhood and being a wife, but she was a career woman as well. Before her retirement at the age of 58, she was a nursing home administrator for many years. Shirley always instilled in those who knew her and especially her children that “the sky is the limit; if you work hard you will achieve”. She attributed her longevity of 90 years to hard work and a positive mental attitude. Make everything an adventure. Have fun and work hard and dream big were her mottos.On December 2, 2012 Shirley’s 90th Birthday Celebration was held in Westport, MA where 50 nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, and her close friends attended. The party was a wonderful tribute to her as she had touched all of the lives of those who attended. Shirley’s children wanted a party to celebrate her life and her upcoming birthday while she was living and in good health and not at a funeral … a true memorial and tribute to the wonderful woman, wife, mother and friend named Shirley Baker.For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Marilyn A. Baker Memorial Scholarship Fund East Longmeadow High School. The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 6, 2013 from 11:00AM-1:00PM at New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA with a service to follow at 1:00PM. Committal services will be held in the chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 9:00AM. Please visit www.nefcc.net

Margaret S. Baker

December 22, 1922 - December 29, 2012